The Branding Needle, or The Monastery of Charolles

e. Aye, large indeed is the multitude that is advancing towards the village of Ryonne, where t

risk of imprisonment, the lash and even mutilation at their return, slaves and colonists joined the swelling multitude; at the risk of the fatigue of the rapid march, that for some, lasted two days, for others, one day, half a day, two hours, or one hour, according to where they fell in lin

constable and his men. One of her sleeves, together with half her corsage, was torn off, and left bare her neck and shoulders and one of her arms, all of which were covered with livid, bluish bruises, partly hidden under her long, grey, tangled and tumbled hair to which fragments of dung and ordure, that the people had flung at her while whelming her with insults, were still seen to cling. From time to time, the fettered lioness gave her head a convulsive shake in the effort to disengage her face from the disheveled locks before it-at such times, glimpses were obtained of her hideous, horrible visage. Before being finally caught, the woman had defended herself like a wild animal at bay. The desire of her captors was to take her alive to the son of her mortal enemy. In the brutal hand to hand struggle of Constable Herpon and his armed men with Brunhild she was smitten with t

Warnachaire to meet her. Other seigneurs of Burgundy and Austrasia, who sided with Clotaire, also followed him.

them. Old though she was, had she not been pinioned, Brunhild would have held her saddle like an Amazon. But hindered by the bonds that bound her, she was unable to follow with suppleness the motion of her mount. As a consequence, the gallop of her palfrey threw Brunhild's bod

. Leave only her arms

of the ligaments had so benumbed her limbs that she was unable to stand upon her legs and forced her to dr

ld does not fall upon her

stretched out its intelligent head and gently licked the Queen's hands, tied up behind her. For the first time, but only for a moment, were Brunhild's feature

rength gave out; and now you bid me adieu in your own way; you entertain no hatred for B

ed itself around the son of Fredegonde and her mortal enemy. What with the sight of that King, and what with her own determination not to falter in hi

hands from me-I

a circle that drew closer and closer. The vast crowd was hushed in profound silence; with bated breath the issue of the terrible interview was awaited. With his arms crossed over his heaving breast, Fredeg

my face bruised with the fist-blows given me, soiled with dung, mud and ordure thrown at me by the people along the road.-Triumph, son of Fredegonde! Triumph, young man! For two days the populace have been whel

taire II in a low voice, "order that woman to be

o speak; I shall enjoy the tor

words, Brunhild had proceeded with an ever more res

e you, bruised with fist-blows, like that of any vile slave! The mother of your King-that Fredegonde who was prostituted to all the

wolf bleached in debauchery!" cried Clotaire

sband Sigebert and my son Childeb

upence, the Bishop of St. Privat murder

assassinated in the basilica of Rouen, as a punishme

nable witch! And after you abused his youth you goaded him to pa

roat cut at Noisy, Chilperic delivered to the dagger and the poiso

cried Clotaire II livid wit

n to be gagged," again whispered

dowere," Brunhild proceeded; "Andowere had two children, Clodwig and Basine; the mother was

d reigning in their stead; who order the assassination of whatever honorable people revolt at such a crime-as happened to Bert

o be burned with red-hot irons, his nose cut off, his eyes put out, red-hot irons thrust under his nails, and fi

apply them to;" and addressing Brunhild, "And did not you yourself stain your hands with the blood of your grandson Theudebe

oms you have secured to yourself by their murder! And that is the manner in which we all of us, people of the royal family, act. In order to reign w

ommanded Clotaire i

ting voice of Brunhild; "place no faith in the words of this execrable woman in matters

die, to unveil to you all

g voice, and he added in a lower voice to Clotaire: "Glorious King, do you not think it is high

aire had looked for a scarf, threw it over

irit of mendacity, could they, as the visible support given to them by God in overpowering their enemies, shows them to be-could they be the beloved sons of our holy Church? Would we, the fathers in Christ of the people of Gaul, order these to obey their Kings and masters, and to submit to their will?-would we do so if they were not the elect of the Lord? Go to-witch! You

admitted, aroused so profound an indignation among the assembled

earth be rid of her! Let h